Chapter 38
K lari carried her up the beach.
Greta was still half-limp in his arms, patches of fading pink scales giving way to soft, human skin, her legs slowly separating from the powerful tail she had worn for so long.
She weighed almost nothing to him, but every step sent fresh pain through his own wounds. He ignored it.
The black sand was warm under his feet, the twin moons casting silver light across the gentle curve of the cove.
This island felt different from the others — softer, almost idyllic. Palm-like fronds swayed in the warm breeze. Bioluminescent flowers glowed softly along the treeline. The waves lapped quietly at the shore like they were finally offering peace.
He found a spot sheltered by a cluster of broad-leafed trees and gently lowered her onto the sand. She stirred, eyes fluttering open.
“Klari…” Her voice was hoarse, still raw from nearly drowning .
“I’m here,” he murmured. He brushed wet strands of hair from her face, then set to work.
First, shelter.
He tore down several of the broad, waxy leaves from the nearby trees and wove them quickly into a simple lean-to using fallen branches and his own strength. It wasn’t perfect, but it would block the worst of the coming sun.
He scooped armfuls of soft dried seaweed and spread it beneath the shelter to make a bed.
Greta watched him the whole time, a small, tired smile on her lips.
“You’re hurt,” she said quietly when he finally knelt beside her.
“So are you.”
He checked her over carefully — no broken bones, just bruises and exhaustion. The reversion had completed while he worked; she was fully human again, soft skin, no scales, no gills, no tail. No timer ticking in her veins.
For for the first time since the Game had begun, they actually had time.
He settled beside her under the shelter, pulling her gently into his lap so her back rested against his chest. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close.
The warm night air moved over their skin. The distant sound of waves was the only noise.
Greta tilted her head back to look at him. Her fingers traced one of the deeper gashes on his chest, careful not to press.
“I thought I lost you,” she whispered.
“You almost did.” His voice was low, rough. “But I’m still here. We both are.”
She turned in his arms until she was facing him, straddling his lap. Her hands came up to cup his face. “Then let’s finish this. One more claim. One more time. And then it’s over. No more games. No more running.”
Klari’s golden eyes darkened with heat. “You sure you don’t want to rest?”
“I don’t want to take my time,” she said, leaning in until her lips brushed his. “I want you now. I want to feel you. I want to know it’s really ending with us choosing each other.”
The kiss started slow — soft, reverent, full of everything they had survived. Then it deepened. Tongues sliding, breaths mingling, hands roaming.
Greta rocked her hips against him, feeling him harden beneath her. His cock emerged from its slit, thick and ridged and hot against her bare skin.
Klari groaned into her mouth. His hands slid down her back, cupping her ass, pulling her closer so she could grind against his length. She was already wet, slick heat sliding along his cock as she moved.
“Greta…” he rasped, breaking the kiss to trail his mouth down her throat. He sucked lightly at the spot where her gills had been, now smooth human skin, and she shivered hard.
She reached between them, wrapped her fingers around his cock, and stroked him slowly from base to tip. “I love how you feel,” she whispered. “How big you are. How you fill me so completely.”
He hissed, hips bucking up into her hand. One of his hands slid between her thighs, fingers gliding through her folds, circling her clit with firm, teasing strokes. She moaned, head falling back, hips rolling to chase his touch.
They took their time with the foreplay, even though she had said she didn’t want to. Every touch felt like a victory. Every kiss like a promise .
Klari slipped two fingers inside her, curling them just right while his thumb kept working her clit.
Greta rode his hand shamelessly, breath coming in short gasps, her free hand braced on his shoulder.
“You’re so wet for me,” he murmured against her breast, tongue flicking over her nipple before sucking it into his mouth. “Always so ready.”
“Because it’s you,” she gasped. “Only you.”
She stroked him faster, twisting her wrist at the head, spreading the leaking fluid down his length. His cock throbbed in her grip, ridges pulsing under her fingers.
They were both breathing hard, bodies flushed and trembling, when the noise came.
A heavy splash at the edge of the water.
Klari froze.
His head snapped toward the sound, golden eyes narrowing. His body tensed beneath her, every muscle going rigid.
The final rival burst from the surf.